low brook near the
Rutland Railroad tracks, a situation presented itself that banished all
thought of trout fishing.

The ends of the bridge timbers had rotted away from dampness and under
the weight of a big motor truck had parted from their stone pier. Their
collapse had projected the heavy vehicle front first into the stream, so
that its hood was jammed against the abutment, while its hind wheels
still remained on the sloping bridge floor. The chauffeur and his two
assistants stood surveying the scene in a most dejected attitude.

Of course Bruce stopped at the stream and looked over the situation,
asking innumerable questions. But the men were not in a pleasant frame
of mind and gave him only disagreeable answers, which nettled the scout
to the point of exclaiming:

"Huh, if you weren't so grouchy about it, I'd like to try help you get
out of the mess you are in. Maybe we could help a great deal. I'm a
member of the Boy Scout Engineers, and it is just our fun to lend a hand
in a fix like this."

The chauffeur looked at the lad in amazement for a moment. Then he spoke
in milder tones.

"Excuse me, son. I didn't mean t' be so nasty. If you fellows will give
us a hand, we'd be mighty much obliged. I know what the scouts are.
I've met 'em before."

"Thank you for the compliment," said Bruce. "We'll be here with block
and tackle in less than an hour. In the meantime, get your truck
unloaded," and, turning about, he raced back to town, stopping only to
awaken Bud Weir before reaching headquarters.

Entering the home of the troop, he hurried to the wire-room on the second
floor and began calling the scouts from breakfast. The telegraph line
leading from headquarters was a big loop that extended through the town
and connected with an instrument in the home of every second class scout,
and all the boys could be called to headquarters in a jiffy.

When his summons had been answered by most of the boys, Bruce hurried
downstairs and proceeded to get "Old Nanc," the troop's homemade
automobile, ready for service. Into it he loaded all the manila rope he
could lay hands on, as well as blocks and pulleys, chains, crowbars,
axes, sledges and everything else that might come in handy.

By the time this work was well under way the scouts began to arrive and
lend a hand. They came on motor cycle and on foot until there were
twenty-odd gathered at headquarters. And when they were all assembled,
Bruce outlined